Freaks and Geeks - E05

Tests and Breasts
First Aired: Saturday November 6, 1999

Lindsay offers her services to Daniel so he can pass an algebra test, but things don't go as planned as they are accused of cheating. Sam and his friends decide to learn about sex the hard way; by watching a porno.

This episode began with Sam and his friends in health class. Bill and Neil are being disruptive and it is Sam who tries to quiet them done. However, he turns out to be the one who gets into trouble. The health teacher gets frustrated enough that he makes Sam go up to the front and teacher about the female reproductive system. Sam is unable to but is called Doctor Love is jest. Daniel is having the same type of trouble, but he is jeopardy of failing algebra. Later at lunch, he tells Lindsay this and she offers to help him study that evening. Sam, while trying to talk with his crush Cindy, is taunted by other males by being called Doctor Love. He and he friends then try to figure out a perverted joke, even trying to tell other people and get it explained to them. That evening, Daniel shows up, but is miffed when he finds out Lindsay actually wants him to study instead of learn "shortcuts". As he goes outside to smoke, he sees Sam trying to read the sex education book, and offers to help him with something tomorrow. Dan leaves shortly after. The next day, he steals the test and asks Lindsay to help him fill it in, but she refuses by trying to get him an extension. When the teacher is rude about that, she agrees and Dan passes, which sends up a red flag with the teacher. He accuses Dan and Lindsay of cheating. Dan lived up to his promise to help Sam, though it wasn't what he expected. He gave same a 35mm porno. Neil offers to have Sam and Bill come over to watch it, but when they do, Sam and Bill become disgusted. The next day, Sam can't even talk to Cindy without being embarrassed. The health teacher pulls him aside after class because Sam had submitted some odd questions anonymously, but the teacher was able to tell who it was. He then proceeded to disclose secretly what he could to Sam about sex. Back with Lindsay and Daniel, she keeps flip-flopping about whether to admit it or not. Dan even gives her a sob story about how he was labeled dumb when he was in sixth-grade. When they are in their meeting, the teacher said he will dismiss the charges if Dan can do the first problem. Of course, he can't and instead writes "LED ZEPPELIN". When the teachers and parents start to get upset, he comes into his sob story that he had told Lindsay. Before anyone can say anything at the end of it, Lindsay begins to laugh uncontrollably because she realized how badly Dan has been playing her.

I enjoyed the episode, but I still felt like it was average. I understand that the humor, if there is any, is suppose to be subtle. The show seems like it has become more and more serious with each episode, and though that is not a bad thing, I think the comedy they did have in the show's pilot and even second episode were what made it great. I figured before that Dan is really good at manipulating people, but I didn't think he would do it this soon to Lindsay. At first, I wanted to feel bad for him, but now I am beginning to realize just about everything he says is a lie. As for Sam's story, I think that was pretty good from the awkward side of things. It was cool to see Tom Wilson as the sex education teacher, since I remember him mostly from the Back to the Future movies. I think his ending was good with the teacher giving him the whole truth about sex. So, overall I enjoyed Sam's story more than Lindsay's.

Score: 3 / 5